Exam 3 Pt 3 Soc

Definition of Family and Household

• Family: A group of two or more related by blood, marriage, or adoption (Sociological definition).

• Household: All individuals living together in a single dwelling, which may or may not include family members.

Types of Families

• Nuclear Family: Traditional family unit consisting of two parents and their children.

• Modern representation includes same-sex couples as parents.

• Extended Family: Beyond nuclear family; includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

• Family of Orientation: The family you are born into or raised by.

• Family of Procreation: Family created through marriage or partnerships, including children born or adopted.

Marriage Definition

• Recognized by society through rituals; often entails legal and social commitments.

• Monogamy: One partner at a time, prevalent in U.S. society.

• Polygamy: Having multiple partners, categorized as polygyny (one man, multiple wives) and polyandry (one woman, multiple husbands).

Norms in Marriage

• Endogamy: Marrying within one’s group (race, religion, or social class).

• Exogamy: Marrying outside one's group, enforced by incest taboo, preventing sexual relationships between close relatives.

• Propinquity: Proximity encourages relationships within similar social groups, often leading to endogamous marriages.

Authority in Family

• Patriarchal Societies: Male dominance in authority; prevalent in many cultures.

• Matriarchal Societies: Females hold primary power; examples include certain cultures in Indonesia.

• Egalitarian Societies: Equal distribution of power between genders, increasingly common in modern U.S.

Descent and Inheritance Types

• Patrilineal: Descent traced through the father’s lineage.

• Matrilineal: Descent traced through the mother’s lineage.

• Bilineal: Descent considered from both parents’ lineage.

Functionalist Perspective on Family

• Families serve crucial functions: sexual regulation, socialization, protection, economic support, and emotional needs.

• Instrumental Tasks: Often associated with males (providing for family).

• Expressive Tasks: Generally linked to females (nurturing, emotional support).

Dysfunctions in Families

• Issues like incest, abuse, and divorce disrupt family stability.

• Conflict Theorists: Emphasize power struggles between family members, affecting relationships and stability.

Changing Dynamics of Marriage and Family

• Shift from traditional roles; dual-income families lead to increased dissatisfaction and divorce rates.

• Broader definitions of marriage and family; acceptance of diverse family structures (e.g., same-sex couples, single parents).

The Family Life Cycle

• Traditional trajectory: marriage → children → child-rearing → empty nest → retirement.

• Marital Satisfaction U-Curve: High at beginning of marriage, dips with children, rises again post-children.

Current Trends in Marriage

• Increasingly higher average wedding age (29 for men, 27 for women).

• Cohabitation before marriage becomes common; however, it may inversely affect eventual marital stability.

Divorce Statistics

• Divorces peaked historically and now stabilize; children of divorced parents might face relational challenges.

• Factors contributing to divorce include socioeconomic status, age of marriage, timing of childbearing.

Child-rearing Variations

• Influenced by parents' social classes; working-class parenting emphasizes conformity, middle-upper class fosters creativity.

The Dark Side of Family Life

• Instances of spousal abuse, child abuse, and incest remain pressing social issues.

• Child abuse prevalent, with neglect as the most reported form.

Final Notes

• Despite challenges, marriage remains a vital institution for social functions.

• Societal norms and family structures continue to evolve, reflecting cultural shifts.